similar items to these doll making supplies?
im making a doll but all the supplies are insanely expensive. here’s what i need, any substitutions/similar items?
*sawdust (powdery and ruff)
*”s” hooks
*cmc (chemical paste mixed with water)/starchy paste
*bonding agent
*stone clay
*epoxy resin
*hair
i am able to go to these stores- home depot, michael’s, walmart, target
thanks sooo much, please try to make sure that they are cheaper
thank you sooo much!
Suggested Reading:
Making Waldorf DollsHow to make simple, hand-made dolls including body types, hair and clothing.





For the bonding agent, S hooks, and epoxy resin, go to Home Depot. They may also have sawdust. Ask there first. The stone clay should come from Michaels, as would the hair and possibly the specialized starchy paste.
For real “sawdust” you could create your own by sanding any kind of wood you have around or finding someone with a wood shop or equipment.
Or you could use something to simulate sawdust like some kind of herb or spice, or grated or ground-up baked polymer clay or perhaps even paper clay, etc.
For S hooks, buy them at hardware stores, or in hobby stores with the “dollhouse” supplies.
Or make your own by bending paperclips or other sturdy wires (hardware stores, etc)… you can cut wire with toenail clippers if you don’t have garage-type wire cutters.
Have no idea what cmc is, but you could certainly use various thick starches, glues, paperclays, etc., mixed with water or on their own. Need much more info.
Ditto for “bonding agents.” There are a load of different kinds of adhesive liquids, pastes, tapes, sprays, etc, and each type works best on certain materials. You could probably get anything you need from most of the stores you mentioned though.
“Stone clay” could also be various things.
There are some “colors” of polymer clay can simulate stone (polymer clays must be cured with heat though, in a home oven usually). Or you can simulate any kind of stone you want with polymer clay plus “inclusions” of various kinds (sand, dirt, herbs, etc.) or with paints, etc. Lots more info on doing that on this page:
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/Faux–many.htm (click on “Rock-Like Rocks&Stones”)
…and look on this page for stone-like (polymer) clays:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/Characteristics.htm (click on “Stones” under “Special Colors”)
There are also “stone-like” sprays that are available in craft stores and maybe other stores.
But they could also mean some of the air-dry clays that are called “minieral” clays, which would be entirely different.
Or you could always paint the surface of any kind of air-dry or polymer clay to look like stone.
Epoxy resin can be purchased in most craft and hobby stores, and in larger amounts in Home Depot, etc. If it’s a small area, you can even use some of the epoxy glues (Devcon’s 2 Ton 30 Min. Set is a very clear one). For loads of info on buying and using epoxy resins, check out this page:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_materials.htm
Hair could be made with clays or with materials of all kinds, depending on the look at the level of realism you want. Check out this page for lots of possibilities:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/sculpting_body_and_tools.htm (click on “Hair”)
HTH,
Diane B.